For all the Marbles, Future #1: The Colorado Rockies

Why they're ranked first:

I think the Rockies are built to have a promising future. Let's start with the basics: good management. Jim Tracy has done a lot to stabilize the club in his short time as manager; meanwhile, Dan O'Dowd continues to thrive as GM, running fantastic drafts and building/keeping intact a young core. The lineup isn't elite, but they've got a great blend of speed/power while keeping up with fundamentals like defense and patience. Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are probably the best 3-4 in all of baseball. Tulo brings unheard of power at shortstop, and Gonzalez is a do-it-all kind of hitter; also, both play Gold Glove caliber defense, and both were extended seven years this offseason. Ubaldo Jimenez exudes ace and is built for Coors, and Colorado is building a great supporting staff around him. Jhoulys Chacin is going to grow into a good pitcher, and, 2009 first-rounder, Tyler Matzek has the highest ceiling amongst Rockies pitchers (he might take over as ace someday). The Rockies have great management, a very young/elite core (many of whom are locked up for a long time), and a semi-stacked farm system, with higher level talent ready to make an impact. Overall their club is as easy going and talented as they come. The future is bright for the Colorado Rockies and they're going to start showing it off very soon.

TEAM: Colorado Rockies

Tulo extended 7 years as well as...

LEAGUE: National League
DIVISION: West

Top Pitching Prospect: Tyler Matzek

Top Hitting Prospect: Wilin Rosario

Marquee Player: Troy Tulowitzki

Future Lineup

Lineup Number. Name: Position, Bats- Best Tools

1. Eric Young Jr.: 2B, S- Speed

2. Nolan Arenado: 3B, RH- Contact

3. Troy Tulowitzki: SS, RH- 5-tools

...Car-Go headline the Rockies core

4. Carlos Gonzalez: RF, LH- 5-tools

5. Wilin Rosario: C, RH- Power/Defense

6. Ian Stewart: 1B, LH- Power

7. Kyle Parker: LF, RH- Power/Patience

8. Dexter Fowler: CF, S- Speed/Defense

Future Rotation

Name, Throws

1. Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP

2. Tyler Matzek, LHP

3. Jhoulys Chacin, RHP

4. Christian Friedrich, LHP

5. Jorge De La Rosa, LHP

Closer: Huston Street

Overall Evaluation

Areas of Improvement:

There’s not much to dislike on this team. The lineup is a little right-handed heavy, and that forces a split up between the two fastest players (Fowler and Young), when they should be hitting one and two. Huston Street is a great closer for the long run, but it wouldn’t hurt to find some more young arms.

Outfield:

Carlos Gonzalez emerged as a great 5-tool player last year and his bat is epic. He plays center and right equally well, hits for average with big power, and his pure athleticism brings out great speed. Dexter Fowler plays very good defense while disrupting the base paths, but he needs to be able to get on base a little more if he wants to be a great leadoff man.

Infield:

Troy Tulowitzki has emerged as the best shortstop in baseball, not just because of his powerful bat, but also because of his amazing glove. Eric Young Jr.’s athleticism brings versatility and speed, and Ian Stewart is on the verge of a power breakout. The Rockies have a balanced infield, with each player bringing good fundamentals and a different aspect of offense.

Rotation:

Effectively Wild: Ubaldo Jimenez

Ubaldo Jimenez and Tyler Matzek are two effectively wild pitchers who have huge ceilings. Jimenez has already reached his, and Matzek should be up soon ready to do the same. Jhoulys Chacin is a solid number three, who could have ace stuff, and will also rack up strikeouts.

Matzek has big potential

Intangibles:

The Rockies are built to play in Coors Field. The offense is power heavy and can put up a lot of runs. The pitching is designed to strikeout the opposition, as well as keep the ball on the ground (which will keep it out of the air). However, just because the Coors influence is there, doesn’t hurt the team. That just means the hitters and pitchers will offset each other on the road.

Colorado also spent the offseason preparing for the future. They locked up Car-Go (7 years) and Tulo (7 more years), while Jimenez is signed through 2014 and Street through 2013. They have a great young core that is locked up, and with all their talent they’ll stay young for a long time.

There’s also great management in the Mile High City. Jim Tracy has done a phenomenal job since taking over in ’09. Dan O’Dowd has done just as good a job in the front office, drafting great players and making all the right moves. One of his best moves has to be trading Matt Holliday for Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street; how good does that deal look now?

The Rockies also have all the great fundamentals. They play very good defense (especially up the middle) and have tons of athleticism and versatility amongst their players. Even though the bullpen isn’t spectacular, they still have Street at closer, Rex Brothers (a power lefty) is on his way through the system, and Matt Lindstrom was a great offseason pickup. Along with all their youth the Rockies have a lot of great personalities and one of the most lax clubhouses in the game.